Police arrest 251 terrorists, 343 others, rescue 1,066 kidnap victims in seven months

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force arrested 251 terrorists and suspected bandits and 343 murder suspects between February and September 2026.

Disu made this known on Monday while declaring open the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO) in Owerri, Imo State.

According to him, the Force also arrested 566 suspected armed robbers and 483 suspected cultists within the period, while 1,066 kidnapped victims were rescued.

He added that police operatives recovered 947 firearms and more than 22,000 rounds of ammunition during various operations.

Disu, however, acknowledged that kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence continued to threaten the lives and peace of Nigerians.

He said the approaching 2027 general elections would not distract the police from tackling the security challenges.

“Numbers do not console a grieving family. We will not slow down on these threats because an election is coming. We will fight them and secure the elections at the same time,” he said.

The IGP said the responsibility of the police in securing elections went beyond Election Day, covering the entire electoral cycle, including intelligence gathering, planning, training, protection of INEC personnel and materials, prevention of violence, and rapid response to threats.

“Our duty does not begin on election day. It covers the whole electoral cycle: intelligence, planning, training, protecting INEC staff and materials, preventing violence and responding fast,” Disu said.

The police chief also warned politicians and their supporters against recruiting thugs, vote-buying, moving arms and threatening voters or electoral officials ahead of the 2027 elections.

He urged political actors to focus on issues rather than violence.

“To politicians and their supporters, my message is simple. Compete with ideas, not with thugs. Do not hire mobs, buy votes, move arms or threaten voters and electoral officials. The Police will act against anyone who does, whatever their status,” he said.

Disu further disclosed that the Police would collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate electoral offences, including vote-buying and inducement.

He said the Force would also work with prosecutors to ensure that suspects arrested for electoral offences were taken through the judicial process.

The conference, which is focused on developing a Nigeria Police roadmap for effective management of election security, is expected to guide the Force’s preparations for the 2027 general elections

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